The large population of undocumented Mexican prisoners in New York City jails is a reality that affects not only the prisoners, but their families as well, who often can't locate their relatives because they gave false names to authorities upon being arrested. [pic]

José Cruz is really Humberto Zúñiga, but for the authorities who arrested this Mexican worker, the former name is the valid one.

Zúñiga's relatives say that for immigrants, giving a fake name to authorities is the most practical way to avoid getting deported.

Out of fear

"My brother didn't need any of this. He gave a false name because he had already been sent back to Mexico once and he was afraid to tell them his real name," said Dulce Sánchez, Zúñiga's sister. He was recently beaten by the prison guards at the jail where he is being held.

Sánchez, who is a legal resident of the United States, said she has not been able to contact her brother because of one reason: fear.

"We don't know what to do. We're afraid that they will keep beating him if we say something, even though we know he is very hurt." [pic]

 The family said they are not very aware of their rights as legal residents. "We don't know if it would be all right to go, we're afraid that something worse could happen, but we do have our papers in order, we are residents," said Zúñiga's sister.

A bad decision

Through the Mexican Consulate in New York, Mexican authorities said it is unfortunate that hundreds of immigrants make a poor decision when they choose to give a false name.

"Mexican authorities can help in these cases, especially if they suspect that the Mexican national is being beaten or is in a dangerous situation," said a spokesperson for the Consulate, which assisted Dulce Sánchez in seeking support.